In another small victory for female political leadership in Myanmar, the Lahu National Development Party (LNDP) has elected a woman to chair its operations.
Daw Aye Kyi Thar Myint will take over from former chair U Yaw Thet, who will now serve the party as joint general secretary, following internal elections on the third week of October.
“We voted with a ballot system,” said U Yaw Thet. “The conference elected Daw Aye Kyi Thar Myint as chair and three people as vice chairs. Two of the vice chairs are new and one is the existing [vice chair]. The general secretary is U Ja Bo. There are three joint secretaries and most of them are new.”
The LNDP won two seats in the 2015 general election: one ethnic affairs minister position, and one state hluttaw seat for Metman township.
U Yaw Thet said the party’s third congress, held in Mong Hsat, Shan State, elected 42 members to the central committee. The conference also set goals for the party’s future. Over 200 party representatives from all over Shan State attended.
“No matter which government comes to power, we will strive to obtain full rights for ethnic development. Also, we won’t favor any [single] political party. We will occasionally cooperate with other parties that match our policies and views,” he said.
The party’s newly elected central committee will meet on November 10 to flesh out the details of their agenda and upcoming goals.
Following the party conference the LND’s roster is as follows: Daw Aye Kyi Thar Myint as chair, while U Kya La from southern Shan State, U Si Lon from northern Shan State and U Hal Stay from eastern Shan State will serve as vice chairs.
U Ja Bo will be the general secretary and U Yaw Thet, U Dah Weed and U Kya Thaw will serve as joint general secretaries.
